IBC

Former Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima has signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League.

The 33-year-old walked away from the nearly $16 million remaining on his Mariners' contract in order to return to Japan. He considered returning to his former club, the Softback Hawks of the Pacific League, but ultimately signed a four-year deal with the Tigers worth approximately $21 million.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... ?sport=MLB

and out of 200 mini-draft picks, none of them were Kenji!

Damn, I lost that bet.

Justin Huber is reportedly on his way to play for the Hiroshima Carp in Japan.

Huber was recently outrighted to Triple-A, but he'll instead pack his bags for Japan. Back in the day, the 27-year old was a decent catching/first base prospect. He hit .273/.355/.482 in 121 games for Rochester during the 2009 season and has been a solid Triple-A contributor for a few years now. It wouldn't surprise us to see Huber establish himself in Japan and return stateside in a few years.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... MLB&id=782

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Juan Morillo has signed with with a Japanese team.

Newman doesn't have confirmation on the team, however the Hanshin Tigers had him on their wishlist. When the signing becomes official, it will open up a spot on Minnesota's 40-man roster, as Morillo was added last week. Morillo, 26, had a 22.50 ERA in just three appearances with the Twins in 2009, but went 6-6 with a 3.90 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 46 games with Triple-A Rochester.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=4133

According to Kyodo News, RHP Buddy Carlyle has signed with the Nippon Ham Fighters of Japan's Pacific League.

The 32-year-old Carlyle has a 5.61 ERA in parts of six seasons in the majors. He had an 8.86 ERA in 16 appearances with the Braves in 2009, but missed nearly three months with a back strain and diagnosis of Type-1 diabetes.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=2890

The Rockies have sent the rights to OF Matt Murton to the Hashin Tigers.

Murton's departure will allow Ryan Spilbroghs to find playing time in the Rockies' outfield next season. Murton, 28, hit .250/.304/.404 this past season with one homer and six RBI in 52 at-bats. He should do well in Japan.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=1255

I believe Giancarlo Alvarado is also playing in Japan next year.

Nationals wrote:I believe Giancarlo Alvarado is also playing in Japan next year.

The Albuquerque Isotopes' offseason kicked into gear when right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado left the Dodgers' organization to sign with Japan's Hiroshima Carp on Tuesday.

Alvarado, 31, signed a one-year contract with the Japanese Central League team for about $363,000 (31.5 million yen), according to the Kyodo News Service.

He led the Isotopes in wins (13), ERA (3.49), innings pitched (152.1) and strikeouts (139) this past season.

http://www.examiner.com/x-31603-Albuque ... -to-depart

Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker reports that right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz is headed for Japan.

Newman cites a report out of Japan that states that the hard-throwing right-hander will join the Yakult Swallows of the Central League, with an official announcement expected next week. De La Cruz, 25, was released by the Padres earlier this week. He has an 11.84 ERA in 15 career major league appearances, most recently with the Marlins in April.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=4535

A little reverse action:

http://www.npbtracker.com/2009/12/colby ... n/#content

CHIBA (Kyodo) The Chiba Lotte Marines have acquired the services of former major league reliever Bryan Corey, who will pitch in Japan for the second time, the team announced Friday.

The 36-year-old right-hander will earn $300,000. He went 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 21 relief appearances for the Yomiuri Giants in 2004 in his previous stint in Japan.

Other former-MLB players signing (or re-signing) overseas were Aaron Guiel, Jose Castillo, Terrmel Sledge and Chris Bootcheck.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ ... 219j1.html

Ken Takahashi has signed a contract with the Hiroshima Carp.

Takahashi was released by the Mets in October after posting a 2.96 ERA and 23/14 K/BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings of relief. It was his first season state-side and he clearly wasn't happy with the move.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=5697

Ryan Sadowski has found his way to Asia. The former SF Giant has signed a deal to pitch for the Lotte Giants in 2010.

You might recall that the Yokohama BayStars tried to get Sadowski during the 2009 season, but San Francisco decided they could use him on the big league roster and held on to his contract. Sadowski had a couple of good games at the MLB level before Jonathan Sanchez returned from bullpen exile to throw a no-hitter. Sadowski had signed with Houston earlier in the offseason, but I guess the Astros let him out of his contract.

http://www.npbtracker.com/2009/12/sadow ... a/#content

Scott Eyre-R- Phillies Jan. 7 - 3:48 pm et

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports that left-hander Scott Eyre has decided to retire.

Eyre announced his decision during a Thursday phone interview with MLB.com after negotiations on a major league contract broke down with the Phillies. "I go out playing in back-to-back World Series," Eyre said. I won one of them. I lost two of them. I've been to three, so it's not like I didn't accomplish anything in my career. I pitched in a whole bunch of games and had a lot of fun doing it." Eyre finishes his career with a 4.23 ERA in 13 major league seasons. He posted a 1.50 ERA in 42 appearances with the Phillies last season.

Brian Wolfe has signed a contract with the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan.

Wolfe, 29, posted a disappointing 8.22 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and 11/7 K/BB ratio last season in 15 1/3 innings of relief. He has a 3.81 career ERA and a 1.22 career WHIP in 82 2/3 major league frames.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... =MLB&id=86

Edgar Gonzalez signed a contract with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan.

Edgar, the brother of Adrian Gonzalez, batted just .216/.278/.373 with four homers and 18 RBI during an injury-marred 2009 campaign. He told the Associated Press that he is "very excited to play for a team with such a rich tradition" in Japan. A nice season overseas could net him a deal state-side next winter.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=5551

Grant Desme is giving up baseball...... in order to become a priest.

Very surprising, and really a shame to lose such a controversial prospect, he was really good for business because there were no in between opinions, everyone either thought he was going to be a stud or going to be nothing.

The Orix Buffaloes of Japan have announced the signing of OF So Taguchi.

Taguchi put together a .272/.332/.385 line over eight seasons in the major leagues, mostly with the Cardinals. The 40 year old's career highlight was likely his ninth inning home run off Billy Wagner of the Mets in the 2006 NLCS to propel St. Louis to its championship. He is expected to retire once finishing up his tenure with Orix.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=3383

Phillies wrote:Grant Desme is giving up baseball...... in order to become a priest.

Must... resist... priest... jokes...

Padres wrote:

Phillies wrote:Grant Desme is giving up baseball...... in order to become a priest.

Must... resist... priest... jokes...

I don't think the Padres should be making priest jokes

Orioles wrote:

Padres wrote:

Phillies wrote:Grant Desme is giving up baseball...... in order to become a priest.

Must... resist... priest... jokes...

I don't think the Padres should be making priest jokes

Actually, that might make it even funnier.

Padres wrote:

Phillies wrote:Grant Desme is giving up baseball...... in order to become a priest.

Must... resist... priest... jokes...

I saw one on LSB that I will not approve of:

I wonder if the transition from the OF in baseball to 2B with little boys will be a tough one.

Padres wrote:

Orioles wrote:

Padres wrote: Must... resist... priest... jokes...

I don't think the Padres should be making priest jokes

Actually, that might make it even funnier.

sorta like Chris Rock telling racist jokes